Psalm 71 13

Psalm 71:13 kjv

Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.

Psalm 71:13 nkjv

Let them be confounded and consumed Who are adversaries of my life; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor Who seek my hurt.

Psalm 71:13 niv

May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.

Psalm 71:13 esv

May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt.

Psalm 71:13 nlt

Bring disgrace and destruction on my accusers.
Humiliate and shame those who want to harm me.

Psalm 71 verses

Psalm 71 13 Meaning

Psalm 71:13 is a fervent prayer for divine justice, articulating a plea for God to bring public shame and utter destruction upon the psalmist's adversaries, and to cover with dishonor all who actively seek to harm his very being. It expresses a deep yearning for vindication, not merely for personal triumph, but as a demonstration of God's righteous governance. The petition highlights the intensity of the conflict and the psalmist's trust that God, not he, will be the one to deal decisively with these wicked opponents.

Psalm 71 13 Context

Psalm 71 is a poignant prayer of an old man facing severe adversity, likely from enemies who perceive his advanced age and current trials as signs of divine abandonment. The psalm is a deeply personal plea for God's sustained presence and deliverance in the twilight of life. The psalmist expresses unwavering trust in God from birth (Ps 71:5-6), yet his current weakness invites mockery and malicious intent from foes (Ps 71:9-11). Verse 13 is embedded within a series of urgent petitions for God to act, following immediately after "O God, be not far from me; O my God, hasten to my aid!" (Ps 71:12). It directly opposes the evil intentions of his enemies by invoking God's justice. Historically, such psalms often reflect the struggles of Israel's leaders (like David) or faithful individuals whose lives are intertwined with God's honor.

Psalm 71 13 Word analysis

• Let them be confounded (Heb. yēvōshū): From the root bōsh (בוש), meaning to be ashamed, confounded, disappointed, or put to confusion. In biblical context, shame often entails public disgrace and the failure of one's schemes. This is not merely a feeling but an outward display of utter defeat and the crumbling of their boastful confidence.
• and consumed (Heb. yikhlū): From the root kālāh (כלה), meaning to be complete, to come to an end, to finish, or to be consumed, annihilated, or destroyed. This denotes utter destruction, an ending or perishing, signifying the complete cessation of their power and very existence as a threat.
• that are adversaries to my soul (Heb. ṣārê nafshî): Ṣārê (from ṣar) means narrow, strait, adversary, or enemy. Nafshî refers to "my soul," "my life," or "my very being." This phrase emphasizes that the enemies are attacking the psalmist's vital essence, seeking to destroy his life or undermine his spiritual and physical existence.
• let them be covered (Heb. yitkaṣṣū): From the root kāsāh (כסה), meaning to cover, conceal, or clothe. This suggests a complete envelopment, a public display where the reproach becomes their defining characteristic, utterly masking any previous honor or strength.
• with reproach (Heb. ḥerpâ): Means disgrace, shame, taunt, or ignominy. It implies an insult or scorn that brings public humiliation. It is a cutting accusation that aims to lower one's status.
• and dishonour (Heb. uklimmâ): Means disgrace, ignominy, confusion, or humiliation. Often paired with ḥerpâ for emphasis, signifying deep and thorough disgrace, demonstrating a complete and crushing loss of respect and dignity.
• that seek my hurt (Heb. mĕvaqshê ra‘ātî): Mĕvaqshê (from bāqash) means those who seek, search for, or earnestly desire. Ra‘ātî means my evil, my harm, or my calamity. This highlights the intentional, active, and malicious pursuit of harm against the psalmist, indicating not merely accidental offense but premeditated ill will.

Words-group analysis:

• "Let them be confounded and consumed": This pair speaks of divine justice in both intellectual (frustration of plans) and existential (complete end) terms. It's a plea for God to directly intervene, demonstrating the futility and ultimate destruction of those who stand against His servant. It reflects a desire for visible defeat.
• "adversaries to my soul...seek my hurt": These phrases define the nature of the enemies – they are not just physical opponents but those who aim at the very core of the psalmist's life and well-being. This deep animosity justifies the severity of the requested divine judgment. The emphasis on "soul" signifies a spiritual battle as much as a physical one.
• "Let them be covered with reproach and dishonour": This pair speaks of the public nature of the judgment. It's not enough that the enemies are defeated; their defeat must be seen, making their humiliation a testimony to God's righteousness and the folly of opposing Him. It strips them of any former prestige or authority.

Psalm 71 13 Bonus section

The psalmist's prayer for judgment against his enemies is not borne of personal vendetta but arises from the context of righteous suffering and a desire for God's glory to be vindicated. When enemies assail the righteous, they implicitly or explicitly challenge God's protective power and justice. Thus, the request for their shaming and destruction is a plea for God to act consistently with His character as a just and sovereign Lord. In the Old Testament, a curse upon enemies was often a cry for God's intervention to correct a profound wrong that humans could not or should not rectify on their own, leaving vengeance to the Lord (Rom 12:19). The shame and destruction requested serve as a testimony to others that one should not stand against the Lord and His people. It is a visible consequence that points to divine accountability, discouraging similar malice from others.

Psalm 71 13 Commentary

Psalm 71:13 is a prayer for righteous judgment against malevolent forces. The psalmist, enduring perceived weakness and mocking from enemies, appeals to God, who alone possesses the power and justice to rectify the situation. The desire for his adversaries to be "confounded" means their wicked plans will utterly fail, leading to their public embarrassment and confusion, demonstrating the vanity of their malicious counsel. To be "consumed" implies a more radical end—their utter destruction or vanishing, signifying that they will no longer be a threat or even exist as a viable force. This isn't just about winning a battle; it's about the definitive end of their antagonistic power. The secondary plea for them to be "covered with reproach and dishonour" underscores the public, absolute nature of this humiliation. It ensures that the shame associated with their failure completely envelops them, a just reversal of the glory they might have sought for themselves by bringing down the psalmist. Ultimately, this petition is born of a profound trust in God as the righteous Judge who will not abandon His faithful servant, and it anticipates the vindication of His divine name through the visible defeat of those who oppose His chosen one. This passage reminds us that prayer for divine intervention against oppressors is a biblical pattern, rooted in a desire for God's glory to be manifest in justice.